Assault on teen under investigation

A 15-year-old Cohasset High School sophomore has both wrists in a cast...

Mary Ford

A 15-year-old Cohasset High School sophomore has both wrists in a cast following an alleged assault by a fellow student or students after school last Friday (Sept. 21).

The victim was sitting with his skateboard, along with three friends – none of whom attend Cohasset High – in the parking lot near 1 Pleasant St. when he was approached and surrounded by a group of male CHS students. Unconfirmed reports put the number in the group anywhere from eight to nine.

One of the CHS boys in the group reportedly punched the 15-year-old twice in the face, then picked him up and threw him onto the ground. The victim tried to protect his face and broke both wrists when he hit the ground, according to the victim’s father. Once on the ground, his attacker, a 16-year-old boy, who is facing assault charges, allegedly kicked him.

One of the group involved in the attack allegedly filmed the incident on his cell phone.

The details of the incident remain under investigation and police are still determining if more students will be charged, said Police Chief James Hussey.

Hussey would not comment about reports the incident was recorded on a cell phone video but did say police are still gathering evidence from people at the scene.

“Based on the investigation done by officers and in speaking with the victim one youth is being charged at this time,” Hussey said. “This incident remains under investigation and we will determine if others will also be similarly charged.”

A 9-1-1 call to police reported a “fight” in the vicinity of 1 Pleasant St. at about 4:50 p.m. Friday (Sept. 21).

However, the victim’s father described the incident as an attack, not a fight.

Hussey said officers searched the area and were able to find and identify three youths who were a few streets away. Further investigation by detectives revealed a fourth youth was involved and he was subsequently charged. The 16-year-old will be summonsed to court on charges of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (his foot), Hussey said.

The victim was transported to the hospital, police said.

Hussey said police did notify the high school because the youths are students there. School officials were not immediately available for comment.

“We are taking a hard look had how this may have started,” Hussey said. “We are trying to determine what may have happened prior to the incident.”

However, the Mariner has learned unofficially that earlier that Friday the victim, who was being picked on at school, asked the group of boys to stop throwing things, including food items, at him. The alleged “bullies” then asked if the victim wanted to fight them. A member of the high school staff stopped what was a potential altercation and apparently did not think it would escalate further.

However, the boys later allegedly went looking for the victim and tracked him down.

In an email to the Mariner, a concerned parent described the group as “premeditated” whose actions go way beyond bullying.

In a phone interview, the father of the alleged victim said his son is not a fighter and described him as a “passive kid.” He said both the school and police have been very supportive.

“I hope this incident will raise awareness among parents and their kids that this type of behavior is unacceptable,” he said.